House Journal: Page 64: Tuesday, January 12, 1999

	Be It Resolved by the Seventy-Eighth General Assembly in Joint Convention, 

That the Joint Convention remark for posterity upon Governor Terry E. 
Branstad's relationship, as head of the executive branch of state government, 
to the legislative branch of state government,  to wit: 
		Terry E. Branstad's four-term tenure as Governor has been marked by a 
constructive separation of powers during which the Governor's policy 
objectives have been effectively communicated to the General Assembly, and 
the General Assembly has freely exercised its constitutionally mandated 
independence in making public policy through its lawmaking function.  The 
results of this relationship will be recalled by others in more detail than can 
be expressed in this resolution, but for members of the General Assembly 
whose service parallels Governor Branstad's service, the following general 
contributions will serve as reminders of hundreds of policy changes 
fashioned during Governor Branstad's tenure in office from 1983 until 
today:
1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  Significant economic development 
initiatives relating to workforce development, workplace safety, 
unemployment compensation reform, agricultural and business 
development and diversification, insurance industry growth, tort reform, 
and business taxation.
2. EDUCATION.  Far-reaching early education, kindergarten through 
grade 12, and higher education funding initiatives and innovations, 
including teacher and higher education pay and tuition tax credits.
3. HUMAN SERVICES.  Noteworthy public policy reforms relating to 
welfare reform, child support, and health care coverages for children.
4. CRIMINAL JUSTICE.  Substantial public safety reforms relating 
to the prosecution and incarceration of serious criminal offenders, especially 
violent, drug, sex, domestic abuse, and drunk driving offenders.
5. TAXATION.  Significant taxation reform relating to income, sales, 
property, personal property, and inheritance taxation.
6. ENVIRONMENT.  Important environmental protection measures 
relating to groundwater protection, resource enhancement and protection, 
underground storage tank and brownfields cleanup, and environmental 
audits.
7. GOVERNMENT REFORM.  Major reforms and initiatives in state 
government reorganization, balanced budget financing, ethics in state and 
local government, state control over the gambling industry, state and local 
government reorganization relating to court system and mental health 
services funding, and state capitol complex restoration.
	In addition to his many contributions in these areas of public policy, 
Governor Branstad should also be especially commended for his leadership 
during the great flood of 1993 in which he showed surpassing statesmanship 
and compassion in dealing with one of the great natural disasters to befall 
the State of Iowa in the latter half of the century; and
Be It Further Resolved by the Seventy-eighth General Assembly in Joint Convention, 
That Governor Branstad be recognized for the national leadership he 
assumed as Governor of the State of Iowa, including Chair of the Midwestern 
Governors' Conference in 1986-1987, Chairman of the National Governors' 
Association in 1989-1990, Chair of the Republican Governors' Association in 
1996-1997, President of the Council of State Governments in 1991, and 
Chairman of the Education Commission of the States in 1997-1998, and that 

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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